A/N: The Duo Formerly Known as Gold Wolf Production…is BACK and now known as…well….Gold Wolf Production…so I guess not much has really changed. Anyhow, the holiday season is upon us and we thought that deserved a holiday fiction with a whatchamacallit…oh yeah…a Gold Wolf Twist. And you all know that means which out for anything. Cause twist-n-turns is the name of the game. We truly hope that you enjoy this new project and keep an eye out for the next chapter coming soon. ~wolfy~

Disclaimer: Gold Wolf Production does not own BONES or any of the chacaters or actors (although they are ALL on our Christmas wishlist....bring it on Santa!). The plot and ALL chcaters that you do not know are ours. Thus meaning that this fiction is (c) Gold Wolf Production 2008

Doctor Temperance Brennan walked through the halls of the Jeffersonian, her heels clicking on the hard floor and echoing down the empty corridor. She passed through the sliding glass door into the main lab and couldn't help the small smile that touched her lips. Angela has been busy decorating to get everybody into the Christmas spirit. Garland was hung gracefully from the ceiling and over the doors and lights blinked on and off around her office door. Leave it to Ange, she thought. Brennan pulled out her keys from her coat pocket and unlocked her door. Flipping the lights on, she dropped her bag next to her desk and then took her seat. Her plan was to check her email, send a quick note to her publisher, and then, if nobody had made it in by that time, check the woot deal of the day. "Damn Booth for introducing me to that site," she said aloud.

She shook her head, and reached out to her computer when a green envelope sitting in the middle of her desk caught her attention. Curious, she slowly reached for it, turned it over and pulled out a Christmas card. She checked that she was alone and then read what it said.

Honey,
I know that you wonder about what your mother was like and what her family is like. That's why for my present to you and Russ we are going to celebrate Christmas on December 20th with your mother's family.

Brennan looked at the card, her mouth gaping open for a moment and reread the note inside. She'd almost forgotten that there was family out there she had not met. A wave of anxiety washed through her normally calm demeanor and she set down the note. Her father was doing something that he felt was a nice gesture, but when he'd told her about her aunts, it was so that she could get in touch with them when she wanted. Why then would he arrange for them to meet if it was supposed to be when she was ready?

"Those wheels are turning awfully hard Bones." Brennan looked up to the doorway of her office and smiled at her partner, Seeley Booth. He returned it with one of his own and sauntered in, sitting in a chair opposite her.

"Booth," she said. "You're here early."

"Umm, I could say the same thing about you. So, what has you all worked up this early in the day?" he asked, leaning forward and plucking the card from her fingers.

"Booth, that's personal," she protested, making a half-hearted effort to snatch it back.

"Yah, well, I'm a personal kinda friend," he said, and then quickly dropped his eyes to the card, suddenly uncomfortable with what he had just said. "You're going to meet your mom's kin?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Brennan answered, pushing back in her chair and worrying her bottom lip.

"Are you worried that they won't like you? It's not your fault that you've never met them you know." He handed the card back to her and held her gaze as she fiddled with the holiday item.

"I don't know if that is what I'm anxious about. I have no connection to these people whatsoever. I didn't know they existed at all. Dad and mom always told us that we didn't have any family." Brennan let go of the card as she almost worried a corner off of it.

"So is it just that you aren't sure if you'll connect with them?"

"I'm not good with people," she said. "You know that. I'm better with the skeleton on my table out there than with living, breathing people."

"Don't say that, Bones. You just don't give yourself enough credit." Brennan smiled at Booth's efforts to cheer her up, but she knew the truth. And that was she wasn't good at connecting with people.

"I'll just tell Dad that I can't go," she said, standing, hoping that that would end the conversation.

"And when he asks why?"

Brennan walked around her desk, running her hands through her hair and pulling it back to secure it with a band. "I'll tell him that we have a case."

"Bones," Booth said, standing to look her in the eye. "The Christmas party is three weeks away. You can't possibly know if we'll have a case or not."

"We will," she said with certainty, and then turned to leave her office. "Even if I have to create one," she mumbled under her breath.

Booth sighed and shook his head. There had to be a way to get her to go. She might not feel it was important, or maybe she did, but there had to be a way to show her that she'd be okay with all of her relatives. He followed her out to the platform, deep in thought. All she really needed was something to boost her confidence on this matter. A smile lit his face when he finally came to a decision.

"What if I go with you?" Brennan turned to look at him, puzzled.

"I'm not sure I understand what you're saying."

"Would you be more comfortable if I went with you?"

"Why would you do that?" she finally asked after a long silence.

"Because I really have a thing for eggnog," he teased, but when Brennan's eyes clouded with confusion, he quickly added, "because we're friends. And meeting your family is important. And, well, you would do it for me."

"No, I wouldn't," she said.

"Yes, Bones," he countered. "You would." Brennan thought long and hard again.

"You would put yourself through a whole day with a group of people you don't know...because we're friends?"

"Sure, why not."

She looked at him suspiciously, but could see nothing but good intentions shining through. She bit her lip and nodded, before meeting his gaze.

"You're sure you're up to doing this because obviously you don't have to."

"Bones, if it takes me coming with you to get you to meet your family then I have no problem with it. I think it's important for you to get to know these people, and I'm sure your dad does too."

"Why is it so important?"

"Because, family is everything."

"But I already have all the family I need right here."

Booth waited for Brennan to explain further, but she just smiled and then turned toward the skeleton of honor and began to work.

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